1273 Ultrasonic Fence
Last month, the research inst.i.tute at the colony and Celestial City lab determined the appropriate frequency through collaboration.The modified seismic wave excitation device would continuously transmit seismic waves of twelve different frequencies to create a “blank domain” with a range of ten kilometers underground. In this blank domain, Devil Worms would be unable to determine their direction and unable to distinguish the surrounding and surface conditions, while also experiencing strong discomfort.
The experts in the lab named the invention Ultrasonic Fence.
Twelve seismic wave excitation devices were deployed around the colony to form an ultrasonic fence. Now, with the colony as the center, the ten kilometers radius became a restricted zone for Devil Worms.
Thanks to this, the stagnant work around the colony finally restarted.
Under the command of Captain Hong Zewei, the engineering team repaired the riddled hydroponic plantations and pastures damaged by Devil Worms. At the same time, based on the plan of the s.p.a.ce Command Center, the first automatic steel plant was built on Mars.
There was no need to build mines to mine iron ore on Mars.
There were iron ores all over the place on Mars.
It was an incredibly true statement.
It was not difficult to smell the distinct scent unique to rust when one scooped up a cup of sand.
With the raw materials just beneath it, the newly built factory would only require sand to be dumped into the boiler to produce batches of steel products. The waste slag was mostly silica, which could be further processed into gla.s.s or concrete building material.
Part of the steel produced was used for constructing the colony, while the other part was made into rebar and stainless steel plates to reinforce the surface of the colony.
Yes, steel on Mars was cheap enough to be used as floor tiles.
The engineering team responsible for the construction first drilled steel reinforcements into the ground, then they poured cement to create a concrete foundation before a layer of high-strength stainless steel alloy was placed. With the reinforcement measures in place, even if a drill grew on the Devil Worms’ head, they would be not be able to penetrate through the ground below the colony.
Although the ultrasonic fence did exist, the thought of countless Devil Worm tunnels below their feet still made people feel comfortable. Even as an extra protection mechanism, the alloy flooring was absolutely necessary.
In addition, concrete’s ability to insulate sound would effectively block out the ultrasonic waves under the ground and reduce the impact on the colonists’ health.
Other than iron ore, the geology team w.a.n.g Qiang discovered a carbon mine with a considerable amount of reserve in a crater located ten kilometers away from the colony. This natural carbon mine seemed rare on Earth due to the oxidizing environment but appeared to be very common on Mars.
Relying on the graphite produced by this carbon mine, the colony was self-sustainable and thus did not need to depend on imports from Celestial City.
Both the steel plant and the graphene plant were built, and now only two tasks remained from the headquarters. One was to establish a base station near the equator for the construction of a s.p.a.ce elevator, while the other was Project 071.
Celestial Marines established an operational base above Mine 071. The construction team reinforced the base with concrete and steel. The base was equipped with machine guns, communication base stations, accommodation camps, and garages.
In addition, the engineering team’s drilling rig also drilled a tunnel around Mine 071 that allowed armored vehicles to move underground. The tunnel was also reinforced to prevent Devil Worm from damaging the structure.
The tunnel down five-kilometer deep was a test of the construction technology of the engineering team. However, the team already experienced many similar challenges. After more than a month of hard work, the rig finally reached the edge of the ruins of the Gaia civilization.
Their next step was to continue to drill down around the ruins to create a spiral pa.s.sage. After the team determined the level of the Gaia civilization database, it would then dig into the remains.
“This is Team A, we have arrived at the edge of the unknown area.”
Zhang Hai followed behind the rig and reported the situation to the headquarters as he examined the map on the holographic screen inside the helmet.
“Move forward.”
“Roger.” Zhang Hai switched to the team channel, raised his rifle, and aimed at tunnel in front of him. “All combat units, high-density life signal detected in front, we are about to enter the danger zone. Protect the rig, open safety, firing permitted, move.”
The rig continued to advance forward and the engineering vehicle behind it pushed screws into the tunnel while also poured quick-drying concrete to strengthen the tunnel. Marines followed closely and aimed with their Gauss rifles and cautiously moved forward.
If Devil Worms were to appear from one direction, then it must be in front of the rig.
When the drill bit broke through a rocky surface, the rock in front of them collapsed and revealed a large s.p.a.ce. The rig stopped and the soldiers on both sides immediately approached the empty area, but there was no trace of Devil Worms in the hollow formation.
Zhang Hai walked to the nearby wall and opened the tactical flashlight to check along the wall. He found the red rock and the fungi cl.u.s.ters that grew on the surface.
It was no doubt that the oxygen supply layer.
Zhang Hai signaled the soldiers behind him, then carefully retreated into the reinforced tunnel. Just then, a solider accidentally discovered a strange egg.
The dark green egg was around half-person tall. Under the flashlight, a layer of colorful spots was visible under its oily film. It seemed to be contracting and swelling to an unknown rhythm.
Perhaps it was irritated by the light of the flashlight, its swelling speed seemed to increase.
“What is this?” With his rifle aimed at the egg, the soldier pressed it on his helmet, took a few photos and sent it to the team channel. “Captain, we found something odd here.”
“A Devil Worm egg?” Looking at the image on the holographic screen, Zhang Hai frowned slightly and walked up. “No… Let the rig stop.”
The drill rig stopped drilling forward.
Soon, Zhang Hai reconnected with the headquarters.
As soon as the communication was connected, the headquarters asked.
“What happened? Why did the rig stop?”
“Report, this is Team A. We drilled through a hollow formation, where we found a lot of fungi, and a strange egg… probably an egg.” Looking at the agitated follicle, Zhang Hai sent those photos to TS Expedition.
“This is the headquarters. We have received the information and are sending researchers to the target area for sampling. Please wait there.”
“Roger.” After the communication ended, Zhang Hai signaled to the soldiers to the sides of the rig.
Before the researchers arrived, they would establish a simple line of defense here.
“What do you think this is?”Koenig whispered in the channel as he nervously aimed at the egg.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s a mutated Devil Worm? Or maybe it’s a new species that we have never seen before? To be honest… since we already saw Devil Worms before, even if G.o.d himself stood in front of me, I would not be surprised.”
Zhang Hai listened to the conversation of his teammates as he looked at the egg.
The egg seemed to be an exposed heart, pulsating based on a special rhythm.
For some strange reason, the more he stared at that egg, the more he felt a strong sense of uneasiness…